Endometriosis Specialist

What is endometriosis?

Endometriosis is a chronic condition that causes the tissue of your uterine lining to grow outside of the uterus. It can grow on or near other organs in your body. In most cases, it gathers around the organs of your reproductive system like your ovaries, fallopian tubes, and the outer surfaces of the uterus. 

Just like the uterine lining in its correct place, the uterine lining growing outside the uterus goes through changes with your menstrual cycle. It gets thicker before breaking down and shedding off once a month. If you have endometriosis, this causes a lot of discomfort and can cause the formation of scar tissue and adhesions on your pelvic organs.

The exact causes of endometriosis are hard to pinpoint, but Dr. Fomitcheva can help you explore possible explanations. She can often diagnose endometriosis using routine pelvic exams, ultrasound imaging tests, or magnetic resonance imaging. But, laparoscopy, a minimally invasive surgical procedure, is the only 100% effective way to diagnose endometriosis.

What are the symptoms of endometriosis?

The most prominent symptom of endometriosis is pelvic pain that heightens during the menstrual period. This pain is worse than typical menstrual cramps and often gets worse with time the longer you go without the care you need. 

In addition to worsening pelvic pain during your period, endometriosis can cause:

• Pain during intercourse
• Low back pain
• Spotting between periods
• Painful urination
• Painful bowel movements
• Digestive issues

Sometimes, endometriosis causes complications like infertility. Fortunately, South Shore Women's Care offers treatments and services to address both the symptoms and the complications that come with endometriosis.

How can I manage my endometriosis?

You have lots of treatment options for managing endometriosis. Dr. Fomitcheva recommends endometriosis treatments on a case-by-case basis after careful evaluation of your condition. There are medications and surgical procedures to help manage the condition and its effects, including:

Pain medications

Pain medications can ease some of the pelvic and low back pain you feel as a result of endometriosis. Over-the-counter options like nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are often helpful in easing the cramps. 

Hormonal treatments

Hormonal contraceptives or gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists and antagonists work by influencing your natural hormone cycles to ease some of the irritation and pain from endometriosis. 

Laparoscopic surgery

Laparoscopic surgery, a minimally invasive technique that uses a lighted camera called a laparoscope through small incisions, may be an option to remove some of the tissue and adhesions from endometriosis. 

For more information on available treatments for endometriosis, schedule an appointment over the phone or online at South Shore Women's Care today.